Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma says Zubeen Garg’s homeland must not become another Nepal

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said that this is singer Zubeen Garg’s Assam, and we cannot let it turn into another Nepal. Following the mysterious death of an iconic singer last week in Singapore Assam is mourning and the state is restive. Social media is full of posts seeking justice for Garg.

Recently Nepal witnessed generation z protests. Allegations have been levelled against Shyamkanu Mahanta, Siddharth Sharma and Shekhar Goswami with multiple FIRs filed against them at several police stations. While Mahanta was the organiser of the Northeast festival in Singapore, Sharma was Garg’s manager. It was alleged in the FIR that these people’s negligence led to Garg’s death. The death certificate issued by the Singapore authorities had stated “drowning” as the cause of his death.

Sarma on Saturday announced that lookout notices have been issued against Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma in connection with the probe into the circumstances surrounding the death of cultural icon Zubeen Garg.


Sarma announced that a lookout notice has been issued through Interpol against cultural organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta and Zubeen Garg’s manager Siddharth Sharma to prevent them from fleeing abroad amid the ongoing probe into the singer’s death. Eight other Assamese individuals currently based in Singapore have been summoned to the CID office.

He warned that both must present themselves before the CID in Guwahati by October 6, failing which Assam Police will take all necessary measures to ensure their return to the state. “We need to question Shyamkanu Mahanta and Siddharth Sharma. If they are not guilty, they must come to Assam and give their statements. They must appear before the CID by October 6.”

Speaking to the public via a live session on social media, Sarma said “Law will not spare anyone. If you are guilty, you will be punished, and if you are innocent, you will be set free. But you cannot escape accountability. This is Zubeen’s Assam, and we cannot let it turn into another Nepal. I assure the people that every moment of Zubeen’s life will be accounted for in the investigation.”

He said the post-mortem report is nearly complete and will soon shed further light on the case. A second post mortem was done after Garg's body was brought to Assam.

The Chief Minister said he has written to the Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court seeking the formation of a judicial commission headed by a sitting judge to ensure transparency in the investigation. “If we ever feel that Assam Police cannot deliver justice, we will immediately transfer the case to the CBI. My promise to the people is clear - I will stand with them until justice is delivered to Zubeen. The day I fail, the people can hold me accountable.”

He said that he has also discussed the matter with Union Home minister Amit Shah and will move to CBI if required.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday said this is singer Zubeen Garg’s Assam, and we cannot let it turn into another Nepal.